Eban Confers with Dulles; Believed Seeking Modern Arms from U.S.

July 22, 1958

WASHINGTON (Jul. 21)

Israel Ambassador Abba Eban today held a very comprehensive review of Middle Eastern developments with Secretary of State John Foster Dulles. The meeting covered the situation in such depth that it lasted an hour and a half.

The time spent was considered significant in view of Mr. Dulles’ crowded crisis schedule today. It is believed that Mr. Eban told Mr. Dulles of Israel’s desire for modern heavy weapons for defense, in view of increasing United Arab Republic aggressiveness in the region.

Mr. Eban would not divulge the exact nature of the points covered, saying that he would communicate his findings to his Government. He termed the meeting “very useful.”

The Ambassador said he spent only 30 hours in Israel on what had been planned as a two-month stay. He explained that Prime Minister David Ben Gurion and Foreign Minister Golda Meir thought that, in view of the “very important events” in the Middle East, he should be at his post and hold exchanges immediately with Mr. Dulles. Today’s exchange, said Mr. Eban, was on topics of concern to all countries, particularly countries in the Middle East.